An accent refers to the distinctive way in which people pronounce words, influenced by their geographical region, culture, or social background. Accents can vary widely even within the same language, such as English, where someone from New York may sound different from someone from London. Accents can also reflect a person's identity and heritage. They can change over time due to factors like migration or exposure to different languages. Understanding accents is important for effective communication, as they can affect how people perceive each other and their ideas.